Eddy current inspection device for elongated material with means to eliminate the end effect

ABSTRACT

A control circuit for eddy current inspection of moving lengths of steel pipe has continuously energized primary encircling coils inducing eddy currents in the pipe. When a length of pipe enters the two encircling sensing coils, which detect differences in eddy currents as material discontinuities, the first sensing signals are attenuated. A defect-marking system, which marks according to the location of sensed material discontinuities, excludes the signals resulting from the entrance and exit of the pipe through the coils.

United States Patent William L. Pusey Lorain, Ohio June 9, 1969 Sept. 7, 1971 United States Steel Corporation Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee EDDY CURRENT INSPECTION DEVICE FOR ELONGATED MATERIAL WITH MEANS T0 ELIMINATE THE END EFFECT 10 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

US. Cl 324/40,

324/37 Int. Cl G01! 33/l2 Field of Search. 324/34, 37,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1937 Zuschlag 324/37 FF uznany COUN7FR 2,415,789 2/1947 Farrow 324/40 2,942,178 6/1960 Nerwinr... 324/34 2,971,150 2/1961 Prindle 324/34 2,980,848 4/1961 Datt et al. 324/37 3,249,861 5/1966 Pevar 324/37 3,475,681 10/1969 Nerwin, Jr. et a1. 324/37 Primary Examiner-Rudolph V. Rolinec Assistant ExaminerR. J. Corcoran Attorney-Rea C. Helm ABSTRACT: A control circuit for eddy current inspection of moving lengths of steel pipe has continuously energized primary encircling coils inducing eddy currents in the pipe. When a length of pipe enters the two encircling sensing coils, which detect difierences in eddy currents as material discontinuities, the first sensing signals are attenuated. A defectmarking system, which marks according to the location of sensed material discontinuities, excludes the signals resulting from the entrance and exit of the pipe through the coils.

more P-" can ANALYZER EDDY CURRENT INSPECTION DEVICE FOR ELONGATEJD MATERIAL WITH MEANS T ELBMINATE THE END EFFECT This invention relates to circuitry for controlling eddy current inspection and, more particularly, to a control circuit for eddy current inspection for defects in steel pipe which eliminates unwanted end signals, attenuates the entry signal and actuates a defect marker.

Elongated ferromagnetic material, such as steel pipe, may be inspected for material discontinuities by measuring the change in eddy currents induced in the workpiece as it passes through a magnetic field. A length of pipe is conveyed longitudinally through a primary encircling coil which induces circulating eddy currents in the pipe. Two parallel closely spaced sensing coils provide signals induced by the eddy current. if there is a difference between the magnitude or phase of the two signals as the pipe passes through the coils, there is a discontinuity in the pipe wall or weld. The difierence signal is then used to actuate a marker to identify the defect location or otherwise classify the length of pipe.

The ends of the pipe develop a defect signal of such magnitude and duration as to obscure a signal from a nearby defect if the primary coil is continuously energized during a test. Thus the first to inches and the last 6 inches of a length of pipe is not inspected.

By using proximity switches to sense the ends of the pipe and a timer, the primary coil can be turned on after the entry end of the pipe has passed the sensing coils. This reduces the lost inspection area to within 10 to 12 inches of the entry end but requires excessive timer maintenance and adjustments. If the pipe is to be used for a critical application, the ends must then be cropped or inspected again as, for example, by a manual radiograph.

When a defect is sensed, a paint spray is actuated, but since it is impractical to locate the paint spray at the sensing coils, the accuracy of the marking is impaired. Marks are therefore made long enough to cover the defects. If more than one defect occurs within the length of the mark, complex stacked memory units are required for all predictable number of defects so that all defects are marked within the mark range.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a control circuit for eddy current inspection that is continuously energized and rejects the signals caused by the ends of the workpiece.

Another object is to provide such a circuit that inspects close to the ends and reduces crop length.

Still another object is to provide such a circuit that eliminates subsequent manual end testing.

A further object is to provide such a circuit that recognizes and marks closely spaced defects.

A still further object is to provide such a circuit that does not require the defect marker to be located close to the sensing coils.

These and other objects will become more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawing, in which:

The single figure is a schematic diagram of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing, reference letter 1 represents a length of pipe, part of which is shown, supported on grooved rollers 2 which are drivenby motors (not shown) in the direction of the arrow. A primary encircling coil 4 and two sensing encircling coils 6 are located so that pipe P passes through the coils which are connected to analyzer 8. Analyzer 8 energizes coil 4 and is connected to a l 10 v., 60 cycle power source 10 and also provides l l0 v. 60 cycle voltage output 12 when a defect in pipe P is sensed. Analyzer 8 may be an Eddy Current Tester Model l-63 single frequency type 2 SF manufactured by Magnetic Analysis Corporation, Mt. Vernon, New York. This is conventional eddy current testing equipment with output 12 connected to actuate a defect identification system or a pipe classification system. i

An entry proximity switch 14, sensing the presence of the pipe entering the encircling coils, has alight source 16 which impinges on a conventional photocell 13 when pipe P is not present. Output 20 of photocell 18 is connected to a converter 22 to provide a logic I output (20 v.) when a pipe is between light 16 and photocell 18. Converter 22 is a model TYN 2 signal converter manufactured by Square D Company, part of the NOR logic system described in. Square D Company product data bulletins M-2l2-l and M-280-A used throughout this description. An exit proximity switch 24, sensing the pipe leaving the encircling coil has a light 26, photocell 28, photocell output 30, converter 32 and logic output connected in the same manner as entry proximity switch 14.

Output 12 of analyzer 8 is connected to a type TYN 2 converter 34 to provide a defect signal 36 which is shaped by capacitor 38. An output 40 of converter 22 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 42 and a NOT gate 44. An output 46 of converter 32 is connected to an input of gate 42, an input of a NOT gate 48, an input of a NOR gate 50, a reset input to a flip-flop memory unit 52 and an input of a NOR gate 54. An output 56 of gate 42 is connected to an input of a diode OR gate 58. An output 60 of gate 48 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 62. An output 64 of gate 44 is connected to an input of gate 62, an input of gate 50 and an input of a NOR gate 66. An output 68 of gate 66 is connected to an input of memory 52 and an output 70 of memory 52 is connected to an input of gate 54.

Defect signal 36 is connected to an input of a NOT gate 72 and an input of a NOR gate 74. An output 76 of gate 72 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 78 and inputs of gates 50 and 66. An output 8110f gate 78 is connected gate 74 and an input of a NOT gate 82. An output 84 of gate 74 is connected to an input of gate 78 and an input of a NOT gate 86. An output 88 of gate 86 is connected to an input of a flip-flop memory unit 90.

An output 92 of gate 62 is connected to an input of gate 58 and an input of a NOT gate 94. An output 96 of gate 94 is connected to an input of a NOT gate 98 and an input of a NOR gate 100. An output 102 of gate 58 is connected to a reset input of memory 90. An output 104 of gate 82 is connected to an input of gate 101) an an input of a NOR gate 106. An output 108 of memory and an output 110 of gate 98 are connected to inputs of gate 106. An output 112 of gate 100 and an output 114 of gate 106 are connected to inputs of a NOR gate 116. An output 118 of gate 116 is. connected to an input of a NOT gate 120. An output 122 of gate is connected to an input of a NOR gate 124, to an input of a NOT gate 126, and to an input of a NOR gate 128.

An output of gate 124 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 132 and to a converter 134 which is powered by source 10 and turns on. a lamp 136 when output 130 is at logic 1. An output 138 of gate 132 is connected to an input of gate 124.

A reset push button 140 has a first contact 140A connecting a converter 142, which provides a 20 v. output (logic 1 to an input of gate 132. A second contact 1403 of reset push button 140 connects a counter 144 to power source 111 to accumulate a count for each time contacts 140A and 14018 are closed. An output 146 of gate 50 is connected to an input of gate 128. An output 148 of gate 128 is connected to an input ofa NOR gate 150. An output 152 of gate is connected to an input of gate 128, to the input of a spacing timer 154, which provides an output 158 after a delay, and to the input of a halfspray-length timer 156. An output 158 of timer 154 is connected to the input of a spray length timer 160 and to an input of a NOR gate 162. An output 164 of timer 160 is connected to an input of gate 150.

An output 166 of timer 156 is connected to an input of a NOT gate 168. An output 170 of gate 168 and an output 172 of gate 126 are connected to inputs of a NOR gate 174. An output 176 of gate 174 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 178. An output of gate 178 is connected to an input of a NOR gate 182.

An output 184 of gate 182 is connected to an input of gate 178. to an input of gate 162 and to an input of a long duration timer 186. An output 188 of timer 186 is connected to an input of gate 182. An output 190 of gate 162 connected to a time, the first signals sensed by coils 6 will be the end of the pipe. This signal should be attenuated so that it will not obscure potentially closely following defect signals, it should be ignored by the defect marker circuit, and it should be used to paint marker 192. Marker 192 is powered by source and is 5 mark the entry end of the pipe to indicate that it has been ina conventional Servo operated paint spray gun adapted to spected. spray paint on pipe P in response to the duration of the logic 0 When the pipe entry end is sensed by c ilp t 6 signal 190. changes to logic 1. Logic outputs change as follows:

An output 194 of gate 54 is connected to an input of 21 NOT 0 1 gate 196 An output 198 of gate 196 is connected to a converter 200. Converter 200 is connected to source 10 and ener- 2 g gizes a relay coil 202 in response to a logic 1 signal 198. Relay 76 202 has two normally open contacts 202C connecting sensing coils to analyzer 8 and two normally closed contacts 202C1 K WhiCh connect the resistances 204 between cons 6 and Memory unit output 108 changes to logic 1 at the trailing edge analyze! of the pulse. Qutput 144 remains at 0 a nd defect signal 122 h opefahohi P cherglzes analyze does not change. At the trailing edge of the pulse from output Y switches 14 and P mafker the Fonveners, 36, output 68 changes to 0 which changes output 70 to 1. This and h 8 ahimehtst the F h h to h loglc elements energizes relay 202 removing resistances 204 from the sensing bemg Shown P'P lhsPeci-wh System; coil circuit. The pulse from output 36 also changes output 146 h) lhh 40 and 46 and ouiput are P to l which activates the paint marker to paint the end of pipe thls cohdmoha that 1 9 the whlch ehmmates only, which indicates that it has been inspected. Logic outputs wanted end signals has logic outputs as follows: Change sequentially as fOHOWS;

so 56 148 152 8a 2 158 (which changes to 1 only 92 after timer 154 times out I 10 76 which is the time for the 112 84 pipe end to travel from 114 96 sensing coil 6 to marker In 102 192 at inspection speed! 104 190 (after timer 154 108 times out) 118 164 (which changes to 1 only after timer 160 times out WhiCi1 iS the time the Another part of the circuit which attenuates the end signal P Y length of the mark at inspection has logic outputs as follows: speed with signal 36 timed for the center of the mark) 0 198 152 (after timer 160 times out) In this condition, relay 202 is deenergized and there is ati l i tlmes out) tenuation of the signals from coils 6. Another part of the C11'- 190 (wartime; 16min, cuit, the reset and counter circuit has logic outputs as follows: TATE 0 TATE no 38 Because of timers 154 and 160, half the mark length would be 14 A sprayed on the end of the pipe. Since this is close to the length of pipe that is not inspected and is cropped, the mark cannot Iln this conditionflanmp 136 IS not on. A defect mark circuit has be misaken for a defect. Defects would be marked with a ogic outputs as o ows. longer mark.

0 g l With the end of the pipe now past the sensing coils but not 152 14s as far as the exit proximity switch 24, if a defect occurs, it is 158 desired to mark the pipe. If a defect occurs signal 36 changes a 180 second time and lo ic out uts change as follows from the con- 166 190 g P L7 dition of attenuating the end and marking the end: 188 o 1 in this condition, the paint marker 192 is not actuated. A test 0 108 "4 identification mark circuit is not activated and has logic out- 118 122 put 146 to 0 If aljalyler 8 supphes a defect i l on the output This actuates the paint marker 192 in a manner already 36, this would be in error since no pipe 15 111 the tester, and described should not result in actuating the defect marker circuit. Under this condition logic outputs wou|d change as follows; Should another defect now occur, that is, after the end o 1 signal but before the pipe end reaches the exit proximity switch 24, it will be desirable to mark this defect also. So long an 76 as output 102 is at 0, the gate of memory unit 90, output 122 88 84 will be at l to mark the pipe each time output 88 goes from l v to 0.

but output 122 would not change and marker 192 would not 8 1f the second defect occurs so @1635?) the first defect that it be actuated. would normally be covered by the length of spray as timed by When a length of pipe enters the tester, entry proximity timer 160, there is no need to extend the paint spray mark. switch 14 is energized providing a logic 1 on output 40. At this This would occur within the trailing half of the mark since the desired to mark the pipe. Under this condition, an end signal will occur after the defect signal and since the spacing between the entry proximity switch. M and the sensing coil 6 is included in the paint mark length, the end signal or a second defect signal can be used to mark the pipe. When a second signal 36 occurs, either an end signal or a defect signal, output 108 of memory unit 90 will change from I to 0. Logic outputs change asfollows:

o r 10 0 I nu ma ron in:

.112 11s us 12:

ran rm raa 15 Marker 1924s actuated to markthe defect.

Thus when output .184 changes to l, output 190 changes to 0 and a mark is being made. Timer 186is set to time out the time required for a half spray length plus the time of timer 154. Thus any combination of defects would be conveyed by a mark. So long as the paint marker is reasonably close to the sensingcoils, the extended marks are not excessively long.

When the pipe end moves to the exit proximity switch .24 logic outputs change as follows:

When defects now occur, input 102, the gate to memory unit 90, keeps output 108 at l for each change in output 36. Thus output 114 remains at 0. When signal 36 changes to l logic outputs change as follows:

Should a defect signal 36 now appear it should not be acted upon. If such signal does appear, logic outputs change as follows:

Ill [18 Thus with signal 122 at D, no mark is madeflftlie first de iec t signal after proximity switch 14 is uncovered is the end of the pipe, it is not desired to mark the end of the pipe and the end signal is eliminated. If this first defect signal is a defect, it it Each time output 122changes'to 1, output changes to 0 which lights warning lamp 136 for the operator's attention. The lamp will not light onanend signal or an end mark signal. By closing the reset push button 140, a logic 1 is provided to gate 132 and records a defect in counter 144. Output 130 changes to O turning off lamp 132.

Capacitor 38 serves to stretch the spike produced from output 12 into a pulse more suitable in the logic system. It also tends to eliminate the double end signals that some sizes of pipe create. lt minimizes spurious signals caused by other than horizontal movement of the pipe through the sensing coils 6.

Proximity switches 1711556 T l s ho u ld be close to the sensing coils, preferably within a half mark length to insure integrity of marking on pipe ends.

While logic NOR elements have been described in my control circuit, it is obvious that other logic systems or relays could be used to provide the same functions. Timers may be adjustable for inspection speed changes.

The signals resulting from the entrance end of the pipe passing through the sensing coils has been shown as attenuated by resistance, but the same result may be achieved by clipping the signals from the sensing coil to bring the signals within the desired signal-to-noise range of analyzer 8.

I claim:

1. ln apparatus for the nondestructive eddy current inspection of elongated ferromagnetic material including an energized primary encircling coil through which lengths of material pass with eddy currents being induced in the material, two spaced-apart encircling sensing coils through which said lengths of material pass whereby said sensing coils sense differences in eddy currents as material discontinuities caused by material defects and the material ends pass through the sensing coils, an indicator and means connected to said sensing coils and responsive to said differences for providing a signal to said indicator; an improved control circuit comprising means adjacent said encircling coils for detecting the presence of said material prior to the entrance of said material into said encircling coils and generating a signal indicative of said presence, and means connected to said detecting means and said signal providing means and responsive to the signal indicative of the entrance end of a length of material passing said detecting means and also responsive to the signal caused by said end entering said sensing coils and the combined reception of said signals for disconnecting the signal providing means from said indicator for only the next subsequent sensing of the sensing coils after'the entrance end has been detected by said detecting means.

2. Apparatus according to claim l which includes means connected to said detecting means and said signal providing means and responsive to the signal generated by the exit end of a length of material passing said detecting means for disconnecting the signal providing means from said indicator for only the next subsequent sensing of the sensing coils after said exit end has been detected by said detecting means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes means connected to said signal providing means for providing only a single signal when said coils sense an end of tubular material.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes means connected to said detecting means and responsive to the entrance end of a length of material passing said detecting means for diminishing the magnitude of only the next subsequent single sensing of each sensing coil.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the means for diminishing the magnitude of only the next subsequent single sensing of each sensing coil includes circuit means connected to said sensing coils for clipping said sensings.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the means for diminishing the magnitude of said sensings includes a first resistance, a second resistance, means for connecting the first resistance to one sensing coil and the second resistance to the other sensing coil before material enters the sensing coils, and means responsive to the end of said sensings for disconnecting said resistance whereby said resistances attenuate said sensings.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes means connected to said signal providing means and spaced from said coils adjacent the travel path of said lengths of material for placing a longitudinal mark on said length centered on the location on which the differences were sensed.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 which includes means connected to said signal providing means for disconnecting the signal providing means from the marking means upon the occurrence of each subsequent sensing while a mark is being placed on said material.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 which includes means for extending the length of said mark a distance equal to the spacing between said sensing coils and the center of said marking means upon the subsequent occurrence of a sensing occurring during the time from the occurrence of a sensing to the completion of its associated mark.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes means responsive tothe s ignal resulting from the entrance end of a length of material passing through the sensing coils for marking the entrance end of said length of material with a longitudinal mark, an indicating lamp, a power source, means responsive to the marking of a length of material for connecting said power source to said indicating lamp, a counter, and manual reset means to disconnect said lamp from said power source and record a count in said counter.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 603,874 Dated September 7, 1971 P lnventofls) William L osey It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 33, after "connected" insert to an input of Column 3, line 4, s" shouldread is line 14, after "coils" insert 6 line 47, before "0" cancel "TATE"--; line 48, before "130" cancel "TATE"; line 62, "to" should read at Column 4, line 17, "144" should read 114 line 22, before "pipe" insert the Column 5, line 19, "conveyed" should read covered Column 6, line 74, after "said" insert sensing Signed and sealed this 1st day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MJLETCHERJR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC eoavo-peo U 5 GOVERNMENT PPiNTING OFFICE. IBB 0366'33l 

1. In apparatus for the nondestructive eddy current inspection of elongated ferromagnetic material including an enerGized primary encircling coil through which lengths of material pass with eddy currents being induced in the material, two spacedapart encircling sensing coils through which said lengths of material pass whereby said sensing coils sense differences in eddy currents as material discontinuities caused by material defects and the material ends pass through the sensing coils, an indicator and means connected to said sensing coils and responsive to said differences for providing a signal to said indicator; an improved control circuit comprising means adjacent said encircling coils for detecting the presence of said material prior to the entrance of said material into said encircling coils and generating a signal indicative of said presence, and means connected to said detecting means and said signal providing means and responsive to the signal indicative of the entrance end of a length of material passing said detecting means and also responsive to the signal caused by said end entering said sensing coils and the combined reception of said signals for disconnecting the signal providing means from said indicator for only the next subsequent sensing of the sensing coils after the entrance end has been detected by said detecting means.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means connected to said detecting means and said signal providing means and responsive to the signal generated by the exit end of a length of material passing said detecting means for disconnecting the signal providing means from said indicator for only the next subsequent sensing of the sensing coils after said exit end has been detected by said detecting means.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes means connected to said signal providing means for providing only a single signal when said coils sense an end of tubular material.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes means connected to said detecting means and responsive to the entrance end of a length of material passing said detecting means for diminishing the magnitude of only the next subsequent single sensing of each sensing coil.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the means for diminishing the magnitude of only the next subsequent single sensing of each sensing coil includes circuit means connected to said sensing coils for clipping said sensings.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the means for diminishing the magnitude of said sensings includes a first resistance, a second resistance, means for connecting the first resistance to one sensing coil and the second resistance to the other sensing coil before material enters the sensing coils, and means responsive to the end of said sensings for disconnecting said resistance whereby said resistances attenuate said sensings.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 which includes means connected to said signal providing means and spaced from said coils adjacent the travel path of said lengths of material for placing a longitudinal mark on said length centered on the location on which the differences were sensed.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 which includes means connected to said signal providing means for disconnecting the signal providing means from the marking means upon the occurrence of each subsequent sensing while a mark is being placed on said material.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 which includes means for extending the length of said mark a distance equal to the spacing between said sensing coils and the center of said marking means upon the subsequent occurrence of a sensing occurring during the time from the occurrence of a sensing to the completion of its associated mark.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes means responsive to the signal resulting from the entrance end of a length of material passing through the sensing coils for marking the entrance end of said length of material with a longitudinal mark, an indicating lamp, a power source, means responsive to the marking of a length of material for connecting said power source to said indicating lamp, a counter, and manual reset means to disconnect said lamp from said power source and record a count in said counter. 